Howdy NewSpring Church, EIGHT things I wanted to share with you today…
#1 - This past Sunday our church set a non-holiday/special event attendance record as nearly 16,500 people attended a NewSpring service. So thankful to everyone in our church who keeps on bringing people to a service…lives are being impacted and eternal destinations are being changed. It’s not about attendance…it’s about people hearing the Gospel and responding to Jesus…and THAT HAPPENS EVERY WEEK!
#2 - We’ve received a great deal of positive feedback about the fact that I talked about my struggle with depression & anxiety. I’ve literally heard people say that someone who knows Christ will never struggle with those things…and they are wrong. I wrestled with depression from December 2007 until January of last year…and I’m still not completely through with this battle. We will be beginning a brand new series starting Sunday, February 12 where I will be walking through that time in my life, how I got there, what I learned and how God was faithful to me in all of it. It’s going to be one of the most raw and transparent series we’ve ever launched here at NewSpring Church, I’m praying that Jesus uses it to set some people free.
#3 - We talked about loving Jesus intellectually on Sunday…too many times we try to pursue Him emotionally but not with our minds, and Scripture clearly calls us to do both. Jesus said in Mark 12:30 to go “all in” with our minds…and the best way to do that is - READ YOUR BIBLE, DO WHAT IT SAYS! (See James 1:22, John 14:15, John 14:21) AND…if you were not present Sunday or somehow missed receiving the Bible reading plan that we’re asking our church to go through then you can get it here!
#4 - This coming Sunday is going to be, hands down, THE defining moment for hundreds of people (maybe even thousands) when it comes to taking their next step in their walk with Christ. I promise you that it’s going to be one of “those days” that many people never forget and reflect back on as the day they stopped playing games with Jesus and absolutely went “ALL IN!”
#5 - There was a rumor that was started by one of our worship leaders that I wore skinny jeans last Sunday (January 8th!) That did not happen! I love NewSpring Church way too much to ever expose you guys to the horror of me in a pair of skinny jeans. They look OK on some people…but not on me! :-) I will not be wearing them anytime in the future…nor will I be wearing a scarf or a deep V-neck, once again, I love you too much to expose you to such an insane sight!!!
#6 - I LOVE KIDSPRING! This past Sunday Charisse (my four year old daughter and I) got in the car to drive home after the 11:15 service and she told me, “I want to go back to church tonight daddy because my class was so much fun!” I’m going to call that a WIN for our children’s ministry, I love the fact that our children’s staff and volunteers work as hard as they can to provide a safe, clean and fun environment where kids can learn about Jesus on their level!!!
#7 - For those who feel like you need a breakthrough…please remember what I shared on Sunday from Philippians 1:6, God’s NOT giving up on you!!! Don’t give up on Him! (I wrote about that several days ago here in regards to people who struggle with thinking that God is through with them.)
#8 - If you are married or one day want to be…PLEASE do everything you can to be here with us as Pastor Mark Driscoll and his wife Grace will be hosting a seminar entitled “Real Marriage!” I can promise you that it will be one of the best things you have ever done for your marriage (or one of the best investments you will make in your future marriage.) This event is going to sell out quickly…and so go here for more information and to register.
I hope you have an incredible week…I LOVE MY CHURCH, I love what Jesus is doing…and our best days (as a church and for you as an individual) are yet to come!